Ibeshe Kingdom Development Association (IKIDASS) has organized Hygiene and Sanitation Programme for Young Women in Ibeshe, Ikorodu Lagos.
The programme held on Monday October 12, 2026, was attended by young girls and women from within and outside the community.
While speaking at the event, the Asiwaju of Ibeshe Kingdom and Chairman of IKIDASS, Chief Kaoli Olusanya, called on young women in to embrace personal hygiene, education, discipline and good character as essential ingredients for a healthy and successful future.
Olusanya made the call while welcoming participants to the Hygiene and Sanitation programme where he stressed the importance of equipping the girl child with the knowledge, values and skills required to become responsible members of society.
He urged the participants to take full advantage of the programme, not only by learning about hygiene and sanitation but also by building friendships and networks with young women from other schools and communities.
According to him, “Personal hygiene is not only about cleanliness; it is about health, confidence and dignity. Every young woman should learn from an early age how to take proper care of herself.”
He said the programme was also designed to expose participants to opportunities for personal development, education and positive relationships, adding that young people remained critical to the future of Ibeshe and society at large.
Asiwaju said “We must continue to invest in our young people because they are the future of our community. Education, career development and good character are important foundations for building a sustainable society.”
He explained that the commitment of IKIDASS to youth development was driven by the need to provide young people with the right foundation and protect them from negative social influences.
He added that “When young people are properly guided, educated and empowered, they are less vulnerable to social problems such as drug abuse, criminality and other destructive behaviours.”
Olusanya also acknowledged the contributions of the traditional ruler of Ibeshe Kingdom, the Queen, parents, sponsors, schools and other stakeholders whose support contributed to the success of the programme.
He urged the girls to maintain high moral standards and conduct themselves with dignity, saying “I want you to leave here with knowledge that will make a difference in your lives. Listen attentively, ask questions and practise what you have learnt.”
He expressed optimism that the programme would have a lasting impact on the participants and wished them an engaging and rewarding experience.
Okosodo Urges Girls to Pursue Education, Reject Child Marriage
While speaking at the event, the Supervisor for Health, Igbogbo/Baiyeku Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Ms Patricia Okosodo, urged young girls to remain focused on their education, resist peer pressure and reject the notion that early marriage is the only pathway to a successful future.
Okosodo, who was the chief speaker at the programme, said investing in the girl child through education, skills development and protection of her rights was essential to building a stronger society.
She encouraged parents to continue supporting their children’s education and participation in developmental programmes, describing such support as an investment that would yield benefits for families and communities.
She said, “Your background should never determine your future. Do not allow where you come from or the challenges you face today to decide what you can become tomorrow.”
Okosodo urged the participants to explore different career opportunities, including teaching, nursing, engineering and aviation, rather than allow societal expectations to limit their ambitions.
She particularly encouraged the girls to appreciate the teaching profession and respect their teachers, noting that virtually every professional career was built on the foundation provided by educators.
She maintained, “Do not think that marriage is the only achievement available to a girl. You can become a teacher, nurse, engineer, pilot or anything you choose, provided you are ready to work for it.”
She also cautioned the participants against peer pressure and decisions that could jeopardise their education and future.
“Do not allow anybody to pressure you into making decisions that will destroy your future. Your education is important, and you must protect it,” she said.
Shares Personal Story, Challenges Girls to Overcome Adversity
Okosodo shared a personal experience from her childhood to demonstrate the importance of resilience, discipline and determination in overcoming difficult circumstances.
She recalled losing her father at the age of 12 and facing challenges while growing up, including an occasion during her secondary school years when she attended school in dirty clothes because of difficulties at home.
She said a teacher who disciplined her over the incident also offered advice that remained with her and influenced her attitude towards personal responsibility.
“That experience taught me that difficult circumstances should not become an excuse for neglecting the things we are supposed to do.”
She explained that she subsequently became more deliberate about washing her clothes, assisting her mother with her business and preparing adequately for school.
She urged the girls to learn from their own circumstances rather than allow hardship to discourage them.
“Whatever challenge you are facing today, do not allow it to become the reason you give up on yourself. You must continue to work towards your goals,” Okosodo told the participants.
Health Supervisor Sets Three-Year Goal Challenge
The Igbogbo/Baiyeku health supervisor also challenged the girls to develop clear goals for their future, asking them to write down 10 things they hoped to achieve within the next three years.
She described the exercise as an opportunity for the participants to identify their aspirations and begin thinking about practical steps towards achieving them.
She urged them to identify their strengths, believe in themselves and remain committed to their goals despite challenges.
Okosodo also led the participants through confidence-building affirmations, encouraging them to recognise themselves as important, unique, capable and worthy of success.
She said, “You are important, you are unique and you are capable of becoming something great. Do not allow your environment to define the limits of your achievement.”
She further encouraged the girls to take the lessons learnt at the programme back to their schools, homes and communities.
Ilori Educates Girls on Hygiene, Menstrual Health
Also speaking, Mrs Adebusayo Ilori, Managing Director of BEEDEE Wonders Venture, educated the young women on personal hygiene, menstrual health and environmental sanitation.
Ilori outlined seven practical hygiene habits, including regular handwashing, personal and clothing cleanliness, proper menstrual hygiene, clean toilets and bedrooms, safe food and water practices, environmental cleanliness and sharing health information with family members.
She emphasised the relationship between personal hygiene and community development, noting that healthy girls would grow into healthy women who could contribute meaningfully to their families and communities.
According to her, “A healthy woman is a community treasure. When we have healthy girls today, we are building healthy women, healthy homes and healthy communities for tomorrow.”
Ilori urged the participants to make handwashing with soap and clean water a regular habit, particularly after using the toilet, returning from school and touching commonly handled objects.
She also advised them to bathe regularly, wear clean clothes, maintain good oral hygiene and pay attention to personal cleanliness after physical activities.
Ilori Stresses Menstrual Hygiene, Dignity
The BEEDEE Wonders Venture boss devoted significant attention to menstrual health, reminding the girls that menstruation was a natural biological process and should not be a source of shame.
She encouraged them to speak with their mothers, female teachers or trusted adults whenever they had concerns about menstruation or their reproductive health.
Ilori stressed the need for girls to use appropriate sanitary products, change sanitary pads regularly and dispose of used products properly.
MD/CEO BEEDEE Wonders venture
Speaking at the Event
She said, “Menstruation should never stop a girl from going to school, participating in activities or pursuing her dreams. With the right knowledge and proper hygiene, girls can continue with their normal lives.”
She also encouraged the participants to maintain personal boundaries, protect their dignity and speak out whenever anyone made them uncomfortable or disrespected their bodies.
She stated, “Your body and your dignity matter. You must learn to set boundaries and speak up when somebody makes you uncomfortable or treats you without respect.”
Stakeholders Seek Sustainable Hygiene Culture
Ilori further urged the young women to extend the lessons beyond the programme by becoming advocates for cleanliness in their homes, schools and communities.
She encouraged them to assist their parents with household cleanliness, keep toilets and kitchens hygienic, dispose of refuse responsibly and educate younger siblings about healthy practices.
She noted that maintaining a clean environment was a collective responsibility and warned that stagnant water and accumulated refuse could create conditions for disease and the spread of insects such as mosquitoes and flies.
She said, “Hygiene is not something we practise only when people are watching us. It must become part of our daily lives and the way we live at home, in school and in our communities.”
The programme provided the young women with practical lessons on personal hygiene, menstrual health, sanitation, education, confidence, goal-setting and responsible living.
The organisers expressed appreciation to the traditional institution, parents, sponsors, schools and other stakeholders for supporting the initiative, while urging participants to become ambassadors of hygiene, education and positive values in Ibeshe Kingdom.
